I haven't posted anything in a while to this blog (mostly due to University obligations) however I'm back and this time I want to start a series of posts focussing on looking back to multiple games from the last 20 years.

This time around for the game being roasted is Bioshock:Infinite which you don't have to look to far back at with its release date just over a year ago.

To give some context Bioshock:Infinite is a first person shooter created by Irrational Games (System Shock 2, Freedom Force, Bioshock) and with creative director Ken Levine at the helm. The team returned to the series after Levine and Irrational Games decided to pass on the development of Bioshock sequel Bioshock 2, which was instead developed over at sister development house 2K Marin. This gave Levine and the team more time to work on what would come to be known as Bioshock:Infinite which would first be announced to the public through a trailer on August 12, 2010, displaying a whole new world, a floating city and introducing new characters, a new scenario. It was exhibited for the first time a week later at Gamescom 2010 where it would go on to win IGN's game of the show and would generate massive media buzz as a new chapter in Bioshock begun.

With the release date originally announced as October 16 2012, the game faced a delay into February 26 2013 with the promise of tweaks and improvements to the title to provide a better experience, although disappointment was abound excitement continued to grow. However this was not be the final delay as in December 2012 Irrational announced they had moved the date to March 26 in order to give it "more of this polish".

With the promise of skyrail combat, an exciting new world, new combat mechanics, vigors replacing plasmids and an even more intricately designed story Bioshock:Infinite continually left fans of the series desperate to get their hands on the title with the game going gold on February 19 these fans could then finally breathe a sigh of relief as Levine and his team at Irrational had hit their target.

Bioshock:Infinite released on March 26 2013 to universal critical acclaim with many noting the many themes which the title handled with care and the polish of the title, particularly the impressive new addition of a partner in combat, Elizabeth. The game as of right now holds a 94 out of 100 score on Metacritic putting it with some of the best games not only of the last generation but of all time.

Whilst the critics praised the game some fans were left bewildered by the changes made between the initial announcent and final release with many claiming that sky rail sections and combat had been 'dumbed down'. Though the majority of players felt that the game was one of the best they had played some begun to question the cohesion of the story and themes with the gameplay on display, stating that the two didn't seem to fit together as well as they should have.

One thing almost all players had praise for however was the ingenuity of the narrative and its eventual denouement which whilst leaving some scrambling about browsing the web for answers, was a satisfying conclusion to not just the characters but to the floating world of Columbia. The title included one of the most complex twists in gaming history one that would stick in gamers minds even moreso than the gameplay itself.

Infinite went on to spawn a battle arena based DLC pack and a two part story based DLC pack 'Burial at Sea' which would allow players to return to Rapture. Episode one released on November 15 2013 and with this came the return of Booker Dewitt and Elizabeth though in an exciting new narrative with the return of many series staples such as Plasmids and Eve replacing Vigors and Salts and the return of Little Sisters and many of the series prior antagonists and plot threads.

Burial at Sea Episode 2 launched March 25 2014 and brought with it the first time the player could take control of previous companion Elizabeth. This time the focus was on stealth and getting by rather than being an action oriented chapter. It brought with it a '1998 mode' which challenged players to complete the episode using stealth and non-lethal means of defeating enemies. Burial at Sea is regarded by Levine and Irrational as the 'wrap up to the series' and was the last game to ever be released by Irrational games as the studio wound down after the episode had gone gold, with Levine pursuing other avenues with a smaller team. The Bioshock series will be remembered for pushing storytelling in first person shooters to the next level and creating unforgettable worlds and so too will Irrational games be remembered for its dedication to its titles and willingness to create a quality product.

If Infinite had to be the last game Irrational made it was a fitting swansong cohesion between story and gameplay or not the title created a sense of closure and a good place as an to say goodbye to its fans.

Its been a fantastic year for games regardless of platform, but what became glaringly obvious within Microsoft's own line up for the now last gen 360 was just how devoid it was of 1st party exclusive support. Outside of Gears of War:Judgement, 360 would have gone out with a fizzle. But the third party multiplatform releases have made sure it hasn't been a bad year to have a 360 and that is very much represented in this list.

But on the current (then next gen) One, Microsoft showed their hand and it had a bounty of exclusives from third parties and a couple from its own studios, rivaling the PS4 exclusive list in sheer quantity. Whilst a few of these games were of great quality so far there have been a couple of disappointments as well.

But these awards are about outstanding achievement and so lets begin:

1) DMC

People moaned about the hair... then they moaned some more and some more. But at the end of the day DMC:Devil May Cry is undoubtedly one of the best realised action slash 'em ups of the year. Whilst there were deep considerations from a certain other slash 'em up which is also superb, the thoughtful combo action and tight combination of weapons put this one onto my list for XBOX GOTY. From the epic boss battles to the varied environments and Dante's new characteristics just sticking with the design philosophy of the title it is on the list for Xbox GOTY.

2) GTA V

Now the biggest selling form of entertainment media GTA V is a superb new take on an already huge franchise. The introduction and subsequent validity of a three main man cast, a vast and varied world and finally an online component that whilst probably not exactly as Rockstar envisioned is rich in content. Not to mention the tweaks made to past clunky mechanics, such as the weapon wheel being introduced to add fluidity. If there is a game that knows how to keep players entertained then this is it even if it isn't as 'perfect' as some people want to believe it is.

3) Brothers: A TALE OF TWO SONS

Brothers is one of those games where you just know. You know that there is something special with the mechanics, the narrative told through them and the overall relationship with you, the player. Brothers may not be a triple A title like the others on this list but what it is, is a damn fine experience and one which is innovative and intriguing. It doesn't try to be anything but its simple nuanced self. Between the control mechanics of having to control both Brothers, adding to its narrative, the relationship between the two playable characters can be felt by the player as the mechanics allow it to. If nothing more Brothers is an experience everyone should try at least once.

4) Dead Rising 3

Now DR3 may not be the technical powerhouse that DR was for the 360 but what it is can only be described as good throwaway fun. Whilst the new colour palette and the scaled up resolution let it down on a technical and aesthetic level, it still has its goofy customisation options and crazy amount of zombies on screen it might not be the most original game of the year but its good fun.

5) Tomb Raider

Rounding off this list is a game I didn't expect to make it into any of my game of the year categories when the year started. Why? Its quite simple really, due to skepticism that somehow a renaissance could not occur. But whilst Tomb Raider is not a perfect title it is superb, with a solid narrative, a more relatable lead protaganist and a deep and meaningful customisation and experience system Tomb Raider is easily one of the best blockbuster games of the year. Whilst there is still much to be improved upon, a confirmed sequel and a made over X1 and PS4 version out next month bolster the already superb title, Tomb Raider deserves every accolade it gets.

So here are my all important standing for this category:

Highly Recommended:

DMC: Devil May Cry

Dead Rising 3

Bronze: GTA V

Silver: Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons

GOLD: TOMB RAIDER

Therefore at the end of this difficult deliberation on what is my personal GOTY recommendation for Xbox its Tomb Raider due to the pure depth and fluidity of the gameplay in a game that could have easily turned into just another Uncharted look alike (Yes I know Tomb Raider 1, came before UC). Many will likely disagree with my decisions but thats why there is a comments section below.

What from this list should have made it into my overall GOTY consideration if not Tomb Raider?

Are there any games I may have overlooked? Comment below and keep up with this series of GOTY awards with the Nintendo platforms getting second dibs.

So its that time of the year again where we've had an awesome experience with some exceptional games and we start to mull over which game would win in a fight... alright not a literal fight, but which game really stood out to each of us and how it impacted on us, and justify just why that experience was so darn good!

This first post is just a little indicator as to how personally I'm formatting my awards this year. First of all there will be a category for each platform holder, e.g. Playstation, Xbox, PC, Nintendo and Finally Mobile. The reason for this, is that so this year there is no large differentiation between consoles (handheld, 360 etc...) this is all about a celebration of the best games no matter what the delivery. This is also the reason that this year I have also added a mobile section. Each of these categories will have 5 nominees and there will be a placing for 3 of the titles Gold, Silver and Bronze with the other two in the category not being called 'runners up' but 'highly recommended games'. From here the gold winners will be placed into the final GOTY contender list where one of those titles will be crowned GOTY.

This has made the decision more refined and ensured only the best of the best make it into the list, but it also means some fantastic titles will inevitably be missed out and so that's why I will be editing together a little video of the year in games from news, trailers and more. If your personal pick isn't listed then you can comment below said article and give your views on what GOTY 2013 should be and why.

You can tell me what you think about this new system or the year in games for you below and by the end of 28/12/2013 (GMT) the best Xbox games should be up,

I've just played through the 'Last of us' demo included in the GOW: Ascension pack and I thought I'd give my initial impressions of it and what I predict for its place in the industry.

First of all I'd like to point out the demo was short, VERY SHORT. But it didn't really matter that it was short it showed me what I needed to know as a player. The graphics excelled through both the lighting and character animations though some of them might be familiar due to the engine used. The thing is it wasn't the graphics themselves that mattered it was the attention to detail of the actual environment , a ravaged landscape of broken buildings, broken civilization. It became immediately clear as I tread through the swamp like remnants of this 'city' that I felt an instant connection to the world. I looked around with the camera taking in every detail of this carefully crafted environment, an environment that didn't need the extravagance of some other game worlds of late to stand out, simplistic imagery with polished detail.

The second thing therefore I'd like to mention is the sound quality. The soft music in the background only adds to the beauty of the world being explored, creating tension with a soft build up to a crescendo in the action packed sequence when I was spotted by the runners (basically a type of infected) before lowering back down as I hid away creating an ominous silence that created tension. Whilst I'm on the topic of sound I may as well talk about the voice acting which is again from what I can tell top notch, Naughty Dog excels at creating a game which uses a cast of characters that appear to resonate with each other, which is all the more enjoyable for the player as we immerse ourselves in the game's world.

Finally and most importantly, the gameplay. Those of you going into this experience expecting Uncharted are very wrong. Some of the shooting mechanics are reminiscent of Uncharted, if not a lot more refined. What matters though is the difference in how you will actually play the game. First off obviously the jump button is gone from Uncharted because this game isn't a platformer. Next is the tactical nature of combat. As stated this demo was only about an encounter long but it gave me a grasp of what should be expected. You have to be careful to sneak around and preserve your bullets because there are hardly any, I ran out real fast when the clicker (other infected more difficult than the runners, only respond to sound) noticed me. It required two shivs to the face and a couple of gunshots (the gun only had 6 bullets) to the face to stop it attacking me, the clickers are no joke and I got killed by it the first time through. Unlike many other games which are about survival these days, Last of us seems to excel in creating tension and having you think on your feet as I found myself asking how best to adapt to the situation as I played through the second time on hard mode. Of note is the 'sound' mode which allows you to see through walls the sillhoutes of the infected to plan a tactical route. This adds a layer of depth to the game because this is not your typical run and gun this is a game which requires strategy.

I've only played about 15 minutes but from this I can tell the 'Last of us' will be something special when it ships June 14 and I believe at the moment that it may well become my new GOTY. If you have had TLOU off your radar I ecommend trying it out somehow, it will be out in a couple of weeks and will be a great way to top off your E3 week. I am absolutely excited for this game and will give my full impressions on the week after E3 as well as my thoughts on Microsoft, Sony's press conferences and Nintendo's Direct!

Have you played the demo? Will you be picking up TLOU day one? Excited for E3?

This game is absolutely superb. You get this game for the story and the atmosphere created and the choices you have to make along the way. Virtue's Last Reward on the Vita boasts an expansive narrative which can be completed in multiple ways with a set of puzzles which range in difficulty and are scalable. If you love a good puzzle game this is certainly it.

The game is split about 60%-40% with 'Novel' sections which involve a building up of the narrative and allowing you to make choices about certain characters fates making up the larger chunk.

So if you don't like a story which is quite large I wouldn't suggest this game if your the type who likes to jump straight in. However for those who love story based games this game wields an extraordinary narrative that deserves to be highly commended for its well written plot and well done voice acting (although this EU edition only has Jap Dub with Eng Sub) the quality is high, with the story revolving around the 'Prisoner's Dilemna'. A complicated idea to tackle. Two members of a criminal gang are arrested and imprisoned. Each prisoner is in solitary confinement with no means of speaking to or exchanging messages with the other. The police admit they don't have enough evidence to convict the pair on the principal charge. They plan to sentence both to a year in prison on a lesser charge. Simultaneously, the police offer each prisoner a Faustian bargain. If he testifies against his partner, he will go free while the partner will get three years in prison on the main charge. Oh, yes, there is a catch If both prisoners testify against each other, both will be sentenced to two years in jail, This is the prisoner's dilemna and Virtue's Last Reward presents the psychological element of this brilliantly.

Never before has a story affected my mind so much in a way that psychologically I'm always questioning the decisions I've made. The aim of the game is quite simple however it is to escape essentially a prison which you have been forced into confinement with by some one who calls themself 'Zero Sr.' however the catch is Zero Sr is amongst the other 8 prisoners and nobody knows which one of them it is. From this point on the story begins to unravel as death, betrayal and mystery are scattered throughout this rich narrative. The 40% of the puzzle sections are also done really well with puzzles being solved by interacting with environment around you as you piece together clues to get a 'key' which will allow you out of a 'game room' which Zero has created for each contestant and forces them to participate in. For the most part these puzzles are large and require quite a few steps to complete ranging from sliding block puzzles, to logic puzzles and beyond. In summary, VLR is a must have for any Vita owner that loves being absorbed in an engrossing story, particularly because it is perfect for playing in the palm of your hand. (Note: Game also available on 3DS, Vita animations and graphics appear visibly smoother and more high res as well as having the inclusion of trophies however some might prefer to use the two screens for easier navigation on the 3DS.)

Gameplay: 9

Graphics:9

Presentation: 9

Lasting Appeal and Longevity: 9

Overall: 9.0

Tekken 3D Prime Edition

Tekken 3D is little more than a showcase of how to get a game to run a 60 FPS in 3D. From the start I was hesitant about this due to the rumored sized of 3DS cartridges being quite small I initially thought a game being included with a film was a bit much. I was in fact right and the only way to describe this game is all style no substance. I had Tekken 6 on the PS3 and PSP and can say if the PSP can fit so much into a game and run well why then can't more adavanced hardware?! It feels somewhat lazy the fact that Bandai Namco have only bothered to put one mode worth bothering with and even that is lackluster (Its a survival mode). As soon as you boot the game up and enter into the game section of it (not the movie) you begin to see the cracks form as this game becomes nothing more than an act of self-pleasure as Bandai Namco look at the graphics and say 'oooh pretty graphics!'. But its not all bad. The 3D effect is good and the combat hardly slows down, giving the fast, fluid combat Tekken players are used to. But in the end this just feels like another port of Tekken 6 and stripped of features that even the PSP version included its extremely lazy.

Gameplay: 5 -Good for a couple of hours at most but you'll get bored extremely fast unless you have friends online to play with or locally. The lack of game modes is truly unforgivable and the customisation the series has gained momentum with is nowhere to be seen.

Graphics: 7.5 The graphics themself are great for a 3DS game but are certainly nothing magnificent considering the cutting of multiple modes to make it look nice.

Presentation: 3 Menus are extremely boring and dull to traverse through and there just really is nothing special or eye catching about the way its presented as a whole that hasn't been done before.

Lasting Appeal and Longevity: 2 Unless you are the most diehard Tekken fan ever who must train everywhere they go avoid this game. Or better yet if you have a PSP, PS3, Xbox 360 or hell even a PS2 to boot up a Tekken on do not get this edition as it brings nothing new to the table and lacks content which should be there, they tried to bake a cake but failed to add the eggs. P.S. The film is decent at most I would say give this a rental if you don't have a PS3 (If you do get Tekken Hybrid which is bundled with the much better Tekken Tag Tournament and Tekken Tag Tournament 2 prologue.)

Overall: 4.5 (raised from original score of 3 - due to more hands on time.)

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus was immediately an interest for me as I thought about how much I liked Sigma 2 on PS3 but I never completed it. Also the original Sigma plus on the Vita was alright and I'd give that a 7.5. So I got Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 plus which is, for the most part a sloppy port of the console version. The PLUS refers to a new tag missions mode which replaces the mission mode where you could work co-operatively and replaces it with the same type of missions except your partner is AI controlled. It also adds some more gore back into the game whch had been cut from sigma 2 including more decapitations. There are also touch screen controls which I hardly used as they didn't seem very intuitive and were more of a hindrance from me accidentally touching the screen (it shoots arrows). However the game does not rely on these as much a in Sigma plus which is great. The problem comes with the frame rate. In the more graphically intensive battles the frame rate will drop to an extremely noticeable lull, which is never good for an action game. I noticed it straight away as from the first battle there was slow down on Ryu's movements as I attempted to jump from attacking one enemy to the other. It was disappointing. However this does not keep up in every fight as there are many which run at a great speed and play fantastically, however the slow down is sometimes unforgivable especially since this is the third release of this game.

I don't wanna sound like this game is all doom and gloom though, its nicer to players who are not veterans of the series (like myself) which is kind of an olive branch although there is enough challenge in the harder modes for hardcore fans. Also whilst the performance is not very good at some points for the most part everything else holds up and it is still an enjoyable experience albeit with some performance issues, which some might not find as bad if the hadn't played the other NG games. All the single player content is there including the nice change of gameplay style between Ayane, Momiji, Rachel and Ryu.

Overall this game is a lackluster port of a superb game, but nonetheless it is still very playable and enjoyable for its core gameplay which remains mostly in tact.